Teaching mechanics to wrench on hybrids

Anyone who
remembers the roll-out of electronic fuel injection two decades ago undoubtedly recalls the problems associated with a
lack of properly-trained technicians. Similar problems could very well ruin the ability of hybrid technology to be
accepted by mainstream consumers, and so Malcomb Community College (home of an already-impressive auto tech training
program) is taking the plunge and becoming one of the first schools in the nation to train hybrid mechanics.

More after the jump...

[Related - Toyota doubling number of hybrid
technicians]
Obviously, instruction on high-voltage safety is part of the training curriculum, but one would expect this to be
relatively straightforward; one would expect this to be quite similar to the challenges faced by electricians on a
daily basis. I suspect that learning how to properly diagnose hybrid drive systems, however, will prove to be rather
difficult. Indeed, the wrench-turning business is about to undergo yet another dramatic shift, and one can safely
assume that those with the right talents will do well for themselves.